Here and There...

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company concluded its two open sessions of the fall mixed sale Friday, with the sales company reporting a total of 372 horses sold for a gross of $1,873,500 compared to 334 bringing $1,893,700 in two sessions in 1999. The average was $5,036 compared with $5,670 last year. During the final session, a colt from the first crop of graded winner Traitor was bought by Abracadabra Farms for $35,000 from the Delcrest Farm consignment. For the day 160 horses brought a total of $706,400, compared with 155 horses grossing $859,800 in the corresponding session last year. The average price was $4,415 compared to 1999's $5,547. The median price was $2,850 in comparison with the $3,700 median figure a year ago...Grade I winners Flat Top, Ninepins and Campanile top the 14 horses pre-entered for the $250,000 Breeders' Cup Steeplechase, to be run Oct. 28 at the Far Hills Race Meeting in Far Hills, N.J. The Breeders' Cup Steeplechase will be contested over 14 fences at 2 5/8 miles. The 11 other pre-entered horses are; Rowdy Irishman, Master McGrath, Spring Salute, Pompeyo, Popular Gigalo, Invest West, All Gong, Logician, Double Leaf, Allgrit and Iron County Xmas...The third annual Western Conference on Racing will be held Thursday, Nov. 9 in the Gold Cup Room at Hollywood Park, Inglewood, Calif., from 9:30 a.m.-noon. During the conference, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association will present results of research conducted for TheGreatestGame.com, an Internet-based program to encourage Thoroughbred racehorse ownership, and updates on its 2001 advertising, marketing, television and sponsorships as well as its Drug Testing Task Force, operational merger with the Breeders' Cup and activities relating to legislative/regulatory issues. The NTRA Commissioner's Cup will also be presented during the conference.